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The history of the domesticated sheep

Posted by
MILABERT
on September 22, 2015

The history of the domesticated sheep

goes back to between 11000 and 9000 BC, and the domestication of the wildmouflon in ancient Mesopotamia. Sheep are among the first animals to have been domesticated by humans, and there is evidence of sheep farming in Iranian statuary dating to that time period. These sheep were primarily raised for meat, milk, and skins. Woolly sheep began to be developed around 6000 BC in Iran, and cultures such as the Persians relied on sheep's wool for trading. They were then imported to Africa and Europe via trading. There are many of different types of sheep which consist mainly of Merino Dorper and suffolk sheep.

The Romans took their sheep with them to England and established a large wool industry in the country. Shortly thereafter Spain and England became the top two sheep-shearing countries. Spain developed the merino sheep, known for its highly prized wool, originally from Alentejo, south Portugal, from where it was introduced to Spain. Herds of these sheep were controlled by the wealthy and allowed to migrate throughout the country; the sheep had the freedom to graze where they pleased and peasantry who interfered with the sheep could be brought to private tribunals.